(19)
(11) EP 0 679 036 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
03.04.1996 Bulletin 1996/14

(43) Date of publication A2:
25.10.1995 Bulletin 1995/43

(21) Application number: 95302704.2

(22) Date of filing: 21.04.1995
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6G02B 27/32
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 21.04.1994 JP 83526/94

(71) Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
Chiba-shi, Chiba 261 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Tachibana, Masao, c/o Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)
  • Iwaki, Tadao, c/o Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)
  • Mitsuoka, Yasuyuki, c/o Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)
  • Kasama, Nobuyuki, c/o Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)
  • Ariga, Toru, c/o Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)

(74) Representative: Rees, Alexander Ellison et al
J. Miller & Co. 34 Bedford Row Holborn
London WC1R 4JH
London WC1R 4JH (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Image output apparatus


    (57) An object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus having the function of adjusting the quality of an input image according to the intended purpose while avoiding the missing of the high-frequency component taking place due to the scanning of the input image.
    The output target image 101 is formed on the write surface of the optical write type spatial optical modulator 103 by means of the input optical system 102. The input image resulting from the light beam 108 which forms an image on the write surface of the optical write type spatial optical modulator 103 is modulated by the modulation characteristics of the spatial optical modulators controlled by the optical modulation characteristic control circuit 105 included in the drive circuit 104 and appears on the read surface of the optical write type liquid crystal spatial optical modulator. This modulated image is readout by the light beam 109 for forming an output image and is formed as the output image 107 on the final output surface of the apparatus as a whole by means of the output optical system 106.
    The deterioration of input image information is corrected and the quality of the output image can be adjusted according to the intended purpose.







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